Russia Orders Military Drill, Stoking Tensions

MOSCOW—President Vladimir Putin ordered surprise military exercises for 150,000 troops in Russia, including some based close to Ukraine, where protest leaders are scrambling to fill a political vacuum after the ouster of the president.

The test of combat readiness applies to ground, air defense and tank units, as well as Russia's Northern and Baltic fleets. It is among the largest such exercises the country has undertaken in recent...